Shrink large pores: Does liquid microneedling really help?
Authored by: Eva Juric, Founder of @myskinisgettingbetter and MYSK Online Beauty Store
More about me and my journey with acne: About me
Shrink Large Pores: Does Liquid Microneedling Really Help?
Briefly explained
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Large pores cannot be permanently "closed" or disappear – but their appearance can be visibly refined.
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Especially sebum, clogged pores, dead skin cells, and an uneven skin texture can make pores appear larger.
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Active ingredients like BHA, Niacinamide, and exfoliating acids can therefore be useful if you want to improve skin texture and visible pores.
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So-called liquid microneedling uses microscopic spicules that mechanically stimulate the skin surface.
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The Medicube Exosome Shot Pore Serum 7500 combines 7,500 ppm spicules with Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles, Niacinamide, and low-dose AHA, BHA, and PHA active ingredients.
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Liquid microneedling can be an interesting additional treatment step – but it does not replace a good basic routine with gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and daily SPF.
If you searched for "shrink large pores," I have to disappoint you right at the beginning: we cannot simply permanently close pores.
And actually, we don't even want to.
Pores are a completely normal part of our skin. However, how clearly we see them can change significantly.
I know this issue well myself. Due to my years of acne history, visible pores and an uneven skin texture were two things that particularly bothered me for a long time.
Back then, my goal was usually:
How do I make my pores smaller?
Today, I would phrase the question more like this:
How can I make my pores less visible and my skin texture appear more even?
And that's where it gets interesting.
Besides classics like BHA and Niacinamide, products with so-called spicules are increasingly appearing in skincare routines. You might have already seen them on TikTok or Instagram under terms like Liquid Microneedling, Spicule Serum, or Microneedling Serum.
I found the topic particularly exciting when I delved deeper into the Medicube Exosome Shot Pore Serum 7500.
But does liquid microneedling really help against large pores?
And does your skin even need such a treatment?
Why do I have large pores?
Before we talk about liquid microneedling, we first need to understand why pores become more visible.
The size and visibility of our pores are influenced by several factors.
Sebum production
If your skin produces a lot of sebum, it can accumulate within the pores along with dead skin cells.
This can make them appear fuller and optically larger.
That's why visible pores are often an issue, especially with oily and combination skin.
Clogged pores
Sebum, dead skin cells, sunscreen, and makeup can accumulate in and around the pores.
This is exactly why active ingredients like BHA can be useful.
BHA, or salicylic acid, is oil-soluble and is particularly often used in routines for oily, impure, or clog-prone skin.
Uneven skin texture
It's not always just the pores themselves that are the problem.
If the skin surface is irregular, small shadows are created. This can make the entire skin texture appear coarser and pores more noticeable.
Therefore, when it comes to "shrinking pores," for me, it's always also about improving skin texture.
Skin aging and elasticity
Over time, the structure of our skin also changes.
As the skin loses firmness, pores can become more noticeable than before.
Genetics
Part of our pore size is genetically determined.
Some people naturally have more visible pores than others.
This doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your skin.
Can large pores really be shrunk?
Not in the sense of:
Use one product and the pore is permanently smaller afterwards.
Our skin doesn't work that simply.
What we can influence is their appearance.
If there is less sebum and fewer deposits within the pores, the skin surface looks more even, and the skin is adequately cared for and hydrated, pores can appear significantly less noticeable.
Therefore, with large pores, I wouldn't look for a single "miracle product."
A good routine should consider several things:
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control excess sebum
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reduce blockages
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regularly remove dead skin cells
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support the skin barrier
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protect the skin from UV radiation
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if necessary, supplement with targeted treatments for skin texture
What helps against large pores?
If your main problem is visible pores, I would always first look at the basic routine.
BHA for clogged pores
If your pores clog quickly and your skin is rather oily, a well-formulated BHA product can be a useful part of your routine.
BHA is particularly often used for blackheads, clogged pores, and oily skin.
Niacinamide for oily skin
Niacinamide is particularly interesting if you are simultaneously struggling with excess sebum, visible pores, or an uneven complexion.
For me, it is one of the simpler active ingredients that can be well integrated into many routines.
Regular exfoliation
Dead skin cells can make the skin surface appear more uneven.
However, this does not mean that you should exfoliate your skin daily.
More exfoliation does not automatically mean smoother skin.
Moisture and skin barrier
Dehydrated or irritated skin can also appear optically more uneven.
Therefore, even with oily skin, I would never completely forego a good moisturizer.
Daily sun protection
UV radiation influences long-term skin structure and skin aging.
If your goal is as even a complexion as possible, then SPF is therefore part of my daily routine.
What is Liquid Microneedling?
The name sounds quite intense at first.
However, liquid microneedling is not the same as professional microneedling with a dermapen or dermaroller.
In cosmetic products referred to as liquid microneedling, so-called spicules are often used.
These are microscopically small, needle-like structures that can be obtained, for example, from sea sponges.
Due to these structures, a spicule serum feels different when applied than a classic serum.
Depending on the concentration, a slight to noticeable tingling or prickling sensation may occur.
Precisely this special skin sensation is probably one of the reasons why the term Liquid Microneedling has established itself.
What are spicules?
Spicules are microscopically small, needle-like structures.
In relevant skincare products, they are used to mechanically stimulate the skin surface and support the absorption of the formulation.
At the same time, this means:
A spicule serum is not a classic hydration serum that I would simply thoughtlessly integrate into my routine every evening.
Especially with higher concentrations, I believe such products should be considered as a treatment.
A slight tingling sensation during and sometimes even after application can occur.
However, more tingling does not automatically mean more effect.
Does liquid microneedling help against large pores?
Here I would not say:
Yes, liquid microneedling makes your pores smaller.
Our skin doesn't work that simply.
Liquid microneedling is interesting precisely because such products can be specifically aimed at skin texture.
And if your skin surface appears more even, pores are less clogged, and excess sebum is better controlled, pores can also appear optically less noticeable.
Therefore, it's not just the spicule technology itself that is crucial.
I always look at the entire formulation of a product.
And that's why I find the Medicube Exosome Shot 7500 interesting.
Liquid Microneedling vs. Traditional Microneedling: What's the difference?
Professional microneedling works with actual needles that penetrate the skin in a controlled manner.
Liquid microneedling, on the other hand, is a cosmetic term for products that contain, for example, microscopically small spicules.
Therefore, the two methods do not work the same way and should not be considered the same treatment.
A spicule serum is a cosmetic product for home use.
Professional microneedling is a treatment performed with special devices.
Medicube Exosome Shot 7500: What's really in it?
The Medicube Exosome Shot Pore Serum 7500 is a treatment serum specifically aimed at issues such as visible pores, uneven skin texture, excess sebum, and an uneven complexion.
What's interesting to me is not a single trendy ingredient, but the combination of different approaches.
7,500 ppm Spicules
The serum contains 7,500 ppm or 0.75% spicules from sea sponges.
This is one of the reasons why the product can feel significantly different from a normal serum upon application.
Therefore, I would consider the 7500 version as a more active treatment step.
For me, this is not a product with the motto:
"Just use it every evening and see what happens."
Exosomes or Extracellular Vesicles
The term "exosomes" is currently appearing more and more frequently in K-Beauty.
Simply put, these are very small extracellular vesicles.
In the Medicube Exosome Shot 7500, you will find Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles in the INCI list.
However, I think it's important not to just look at the word "Exosome" on the packaging.
The much more interesting question is:
What else is in the formulation?
AHA + BHA + PHA
The serum does not rely exclusively on spicules.
It also contains various exfoliating active ingredients in low concentrations, including:
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Citric Acid
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Betaine Salicylate
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Gluconolactone
I find this particularly exciting when it comes to large pores and uneven skin.
BHA is particularly often used for oily skin and clogged pores.
AHA and PHA work more strongly on the skin surface and can help to dissolve dead skin cells and make the skin appear smoother.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is also found in the formulation.
For me, Niacinamide is generally one of the simpler active ingredients when it comes to:
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oily skin
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visible pores
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uneven complexion
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skin barrier
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general skin texture
issues.
Panthenol and supporting ingredients
Since the serum is an active treatment step, I think it makes sense that the formulation also contains ingredients like Panthenol.
Because, in my opinion, treatments should never be about applying as many aggressive active ingredients as possible to the skin at once.
Who is the Medicube Exosome Shot 7500 suitable for?
I would particularly consider this product if several of these issues apply to you:
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visibly enlarged pores
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uneven skin texture
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oily skin or combination skin
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skin prone to clogged pores
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blemishes
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uneven complexion
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dull skin
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desire for a more intensive treatment for skin texture
However, this does not automatically mean that every skin needs the stronger 7500 version immediately.
With very sensitive, irritated, or currently damaged skin barrier, I would be cautious.
Not every product is suitable for every skin phase.
Medicube Exosome Shot 2000 or 7500 – which one is right?
If you're torn between the different Exosome Shot strengths, my general rule is:
A higher number isn't automatically better.
The 7500 version is more interesting if your skin is already well-acquainted with active ingredients and you specifically want to address visible pores and an uneven skin texture.
If you have no experience with spicule products yet, or if your skin reacts sensitively quickly, a milder variant might be a more sensible entry point.
Especially with:
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very sensitive skin
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currently irritated skin
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severe dryness or flaking
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weakened skin barrier
I wouldn't start directly with a more intensive treatment.
Skincare shouldn't be a competition about who can tolerate the highest concentration.
How to use the Medicube Exosome Shot 7500 correctly?
With a treatment like this, application is particularly important.
Because even a good product can cause problems if you use it too often or together with too many other active ingredients.
Simple Evening Routine
Cleansing → Medicube Exosome Shot 7500 → soothing moisturizer
I wouldn't use anything more on this evening, especially at the beginning.
The serum is applied to cleansed skin and not rinsed off.
For the 7500 version, an application approximately every three days is recommended.
If your skin reacts more sensitively, I would personally start even slower.
How often should liquid microneedling be used?
Here again, my opinion is:
Don't automatically use it as often as theoretically possible.
If you've never used a spicule product, you could start like this, for example:
Week 1
Once a week
Week 2
1-2 times a week, if your skin has remained calm
Afterwards
Slowly increase to the frequency recommended for the product, provided your skin tolerates it well.
For me, with active skincare, the basic rule is:
Consistency beats intensity.
It's better to tolerate a treatment regularly and well than to go full throttle for two weeks and then have to repair your skin barrier.
Does liquid microneedling have to tingle?
A tingling or prickling sensation can occur with products containing spicules.
However, it is important:
The stronger it burns, the better it works is definitely not the right mindset.
I would not simply ignore a strong burning sensation, intense redness, or irritation that lasts longer.
If your skin reacts significantly negatively, pause the product and simplify your routine.
For sensitive skin, a patch test is also advisable.
What should you use after liquid microneedling?
My answer is quite boring:
A simple, soothing moisturizing or barrier cream.
And that's the point.
You don't need anything more afterwards:
Retinol + glycolic acid + peeling pads + three other serums.
Especially on treatment nights, I want as few variables as possible in my routine.
Evening Routine
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gentle cleansing
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Medicube Exosome Shot 7500
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soothing moisturizer
Routine the next morning
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gentle cleansing or water, depending on skin
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moisturizer
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SPF
Done.
What active ingredients can be combined with liquid microneedling?
In principle, you don't have to give up all other active ingredients.
However, I would distribute them sensibly across different routines or days.
Liquid Microneedling + Retinol
Here, I would be particularly cautious when starting out.
The Medicube Exosome Shot 7500 already contains spicules as well as low-dose AHA, BHA, and PHA active ingredients.
Therefore, I would personally not apply additional retinol directly afterwards.
My preferred option would be:
Evening 1: Exosome Shot 7500 + Cream
Evening 2: Recovery Night
Evening 3: Retinol + Cream
After that, you can adapt the routine to your skin.
Liquid Microneedling + AHA/BHA
The Medicube Exosome Shot 7500 already contains AHA, BHA, and PHA active ingredients.
Therefore, I would not use an additional strong acid peel on the same evening.
If you have a separate AHA or BHA product in your routine, it's better to spread the treatments across different days.
Liquid Microneedling + Vitamin C
Here, I find the morning and evening split the easiest.
Morning: Vitamin C → Moisturizer → SPF
Evening: Exosome Shot 7500 → Cream
This gives each active step its own place and keeps the routine clear.
Liquid Microneedling + PDRN
I generally find this combination more interesting than the combination with additional strong peels.
Nevertheless, when first testing the Exosome Shot 7500, I would initially use as few other products as possible.
If you use several new products at the same time and your skin subsequently reacts irritably, you won't know which product was responsible.
First, test how your skin reacts to the liquid microneedling treatment.
Then you can gradually expand your routine.
What should be avoided after liquid microneedling?
Especially at the beginning, I would not additionally experiment on the same evening with:
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strong retinoids
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additional AHA or BHA peels
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peeling pads
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mechanical scrubs
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several new active serums simultaneously
And what's particularly important for me the next morning is:
SPF.
Especially when exfoliating active ingredients are part of your routine, daily sun protection is simply a must for me.
The most common mistakes with large pores
Wanting to "peel away" pores
If you use acids, scrubs, and peeling pads every day, your pores will not automatically shrink.
In the worst case, your skin will only become irritated.
Using too many actives at once
Retinol + BHA + AHA + spicules + new masks within a few days?
Then at some point you won't know what helps your skin and what stresses it.
Over-drying oily skin
People with oily skin often try to remove every bit of oil from their skin.
However, aggressive cleansing can additionally irritate the skin.
Not planning recovery days
If you use active treatments, you don't need a new active ingredient every evening.
Sometimes:
Cleansing → Cream
is exactly the routine your skin needs.
Forgetting SPF
If you want to work on skin texture and a more even complexion in the long term, daily UV protection is one of the most important steps.
My experience: Does liquid microneedling really help with large pores?
I definitely understand why liquid microneedling is getting so much attention right now.
The skin feeling is unusual.
Spicules are an interesting technology.
And especially for people who already have a good basic routine and want to specifically work on visible pores and uneven skin texture, such a treatment can be exciting.
Nevertheless, I don't see liquid microneedling as a magic solution for large pores.
For me, it is:
an additional treatment step within a good routine.
Not the entire routine.
If you don't use SPF, your skin barrier is constantly irritated, or you use five different active ingredients every evening, the latest trend product won't compensate for these problems.
Why I included the Medicube Exosome Shot 7500 at MYSK
At MYSK, I don't want to offer a hundred almost identical serums side by side.
I prefer to select products where I see a clear reason why they should be in the range.
The Medicube Exosome Shot Pore Serum 7500 is exactly such a product for me.
It combines spicules with Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles, Niacinamide, and low-dose AHA, BHA, and PHA active ingredients, thus addressing several issues simultaneously that are relevant for visible pores and uneven skin texture.
For me, it is particularly interesting for people who already have a solid basic routine and now want to add a more targeted treatment step for pores and skin texture.
If you want to take a closer look at the Medicube Exosome Shot Pore Serum 7500, you can find it here in the MYSK Online Beauty Store.
Conclusion: Reducing large pores – what really makes sense
If you are looking for a way to reduce large pores, I would not focus on the promise of making pores disappear completely.
The more realistic goal is:
make pores less visible and make the entire skin texture appear more even.
For this, sebum control, regular but gentle exfoliation, moisture, sun protection, and a stable skin barrier play an important role.
Liquid microneedling can also be an interesting treatment step.
Especially products like the Medicube Exosome Shot 7500, which combine spicules with other ingredients for pores and skin texture, I find exciting.
But here too, the following applies:
Your skin doesn't need the most intense routine possible. It needs a routine that suits it and that you can tolerate in the long term.
If you already have a stable basic routine and want to specifically work on visible pores and uneven skin texture, you can view the Medicube Exosome Shot Pore Serum 7500 here.
Note: This article is not a substitute for medical or dermatological advice. For severe, persistent, or inflammatory skin problems, please consult a dermatologist.
FAQ: Large Pores & Liquid Microneedling
Can large pores really be reduced?
Pores cannot be permanently closed. However, their appearance can be influenced. If pores are less clogged, excess sebum is reduced, and the skin surface looks more even, they can appear significantly finer visually.
What helps best against large pores?
That depends on the cause. For oily skin prone to clogged pores, BHA and niacinamide, for example, can be interesting. In addition, gentle cleansing, sufficient moisture, daily SPF, and an overall consistent routine play an important role.
What is liquid microneedling?
So-called liquid microneedling products often use microscopically small spicules. These can mechanically stimulate the skin surface and cause a characteristic tingling sensation when applied. Liquid microneedling is not the same as professional microneedling with a dermapen.
What are spicules?
Spicules are tiny, needle-like structures that can be obtained from sea sponges, for example. They are used in certain skincare treatments and can feel significantly different from a classic serum when applied.
Does liquid microneedling help against large pores?
Liquid microneedling can be part of a routine aimed at a more even skin texture and less visible pores. However, pores cannot be permanently "closed" by it.
How often should the Medicube Exosome Shot 7500 be used?
For the 7500 version, application approximately every three days is recommended. If you have no experience with spicule products or have sensitive skin, I would start slower and observe the skin's reaction.
Does the Exosome Shot 7500 have to tingle?
A slight tingling sensation can occur due to the spicules contained. However, strong or persistent burning should not be interpreted as a sign that a product is particularly effective.
Can liquid microneedling be combined with retinol?
I would distribute both treatments on different evenings, especially at the beginning. This reduces the risk of unnecessary irritation and allows you to better observe how your skin reacts to the individual products.
Can liquid microneedling be combined with AHA or BHA?
The Exosome Shot 7500 already contains low-dose AHA, BHA, and PHA active ingredients. Therefore, I would not use an additional strong acid peel at the same time, but on another evening.
Can liquid microneedling be combined with vitamin C?
A simple option is to use vitamin C in the morning and the liquid microneedling treatment in the evening. This keeps your routine clear.
Can liquid microneedling be combined with PDRN?
In principle, both can be components of a routine. If you are new to using the Exosome Shot 7500, I would still start with the simplest possible routine and then add further products.
Is liquid microneedling suitable for sensitive skin?
I would be cautious with very sensitive, currently irritated, or damaged skin barriers. The more intense the treatment, the more important it is to start slowly and observe your skin's reaction.
What is the difference between microneedling and liquid microneedling?
Professional microneedling uses actual needles that penetrate the skin in a controlled manner. The term liquid microneedling, on the other hand, is used for cosmetic products that contain, for example, microscopically small spicules. So it is not the same procedure.
Can liquid microneedling be used for blemished skin?
That depends on the skin condition. For oily skin or skin prone to clogged pores, such a treatment can be interesting. However, I would avoid intense treatments on severely inflamed, injured, or currently very irritated skin.